How do you use PHP?

Answer 1

The outline of PHP is rather simple to understand; developing projects in PHP is more difficult.

PHP, in a nutshell, is a language meant to output other languages, or plain text, depending on specific factors. PHP itself does not "display pictures" or anything of the sort -- it sends different languages (like HTML) to "display pictures."

The beauty of PHP is that everything it makes is what we call "dynamic;" meaning by visiting the same web page ran by PHP, it's possible to get something different every time (of course, that's set up by you).

For example, imagine you are on a website that incorporates PHP. This website asks you to log into an account you made earlier today.

1. An HTML form is sent to the user
2. The user submits the form, sending a username and password to the server
3. PHP is the engine that checks if your username exists, and that the password you provided is correct
4. If you logged in successfully, you will get some HTML stating so - sent by PHP. If the login failed (for example, you gave an incorrect password), you will get some different HTML.

Some understand PHP better than others, due to prior math and technology knowledge, and mere fate. Don't be discouraged if you cannot understand it at first - concept or syntax - as it isa difficult thing to grasp.

If you're still confused (which is perfectly reasonable!), visit the related links below. They have some excellent examples explaining the power of PHP and on writing your own PHP scripts.

You can use PHP for create various user friendly and search engine friendly web applications.

Answer 2

Its done exactly the same as when you create one in HTML except you put it in PHP. I have created an example below to show you how it is done! The example also shows you how to use the form data in PHP.

<?php

// your form

echo "<form method='POST'>

<input type='text' name='my_field'>

<input type='submit' name='submit_form'>

</form>

<br /><br />";

// output what you type in the field when you submit it

if ($_POST['submit_form']) {

echo "This is what you typed in my_field: ".$_POST['my_field'];

}

?>